President Dr. Arif Alvi reiterated the importance of speeding up electoral changes in accordance with the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s directions to allow foreign Pakistanis to vote over the internet, despite misgivings from many stakeholders, including opposition parties.
The president, speaking at a meeting on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), said the federal government intended to help the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) execute electoral reforms, including i-voting for expatriates and the use of EVMs in polls.
He expressed the optimism that i-voting and electronic voting machines (EVMs) will considerably assist in promoting transparency and ensuring the country’s electoral process’ credibility.
The Ministry of Science and Technology informed the gathering that it was actively working on designing the prototype EVM in accordance with existing stakeholder criteria.
It should be highlighted that, despite opposition parties’ and the electoral commission’s grave misgivings, the administration has continued its quick transition to an electronic voting system. Fawad Chaudhary had claimed earlier this year that the Election Commission would receive e-voting technology soon. At the same time, Pakistan’s IT minister voiced confidence that the country’s next election will include electronic voting.
Source: APP
